Window for electronic device

ABSTRACT

A window ( 30 ) for use in a electronic device ( 10 ) is provided. The window ( 30 ) includes a soft layer ( 12 ) and a strengthening layer ( 14 ). The soft layer ( 12 ) is made of polyethylene terephthalate and overlaps with the strengthening layer ( 14 ). The strengthening layer ( 14 ) is made of polymethyl methacrylate.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to windows, particularly to windows for electronic devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are in wide-spread use. The portable electronic devices usually include an internal display protected e.g., from external damage, by a window,.

Windows have been made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene or polycarbonate. These materials may provide sufficient hardness and wear resistance for the windows, to affectively protect the display. However, windows made from these materials may have an uncomfortable touch for users.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the exemplary window for electronic device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present methods. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic and assembled view of an electronic device using a housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic and an exploded view of the housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic and cross sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic and partially enlarged view of the housing shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an electronic device 10 (such as mobile phone) including a first housing 12 and a second housing 14 secured to the first housing 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first housing 12 includes a base 142 and a transparent strengthening layer 144 attached to the base 142. The base 142 is generally rectangular including a first end 1421 and an opposite second end 1422. The base 142 has a key section 1423 near the first end 1421 and a transparent display section 1424 (FIG. 1) near the second end 1422. The base 142 has a concave portion 1425 having a bottom wall 1426. The concave portion 1425 can receive the transparent strengthening layer 144. The base 142 may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to have a soft and comfortable touch.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the transparent strengthening layer 144 has substantially the same size and shape as the concave portion 1425. The transparent strengthening layer 144 is received in the concave portion 1425 adjacent and overlapping transparent display section 1424 and is adhered to portions of the bottom wall 1426 by an adhesive 20. As such, the transparent strengthening layer 144 and the adjacent transparent display section 1424 define a window 30. The adhesive 20 should be transparent, e.g. octyl-cyanoacrylate (OCA).

The transparent strengthening layer 144 can be made of PMMA, which has sufficient hardness and wear resistance for the window 30, thus effectively protect a display (not shown) in the first housing 12 from deformation. Additionally, the transparent display section 1424 can be made of PET, which has a soft and comfortable touch for the window 30.

Accordingly, instead of the window being made of a hard, wear resistant material that is uncomfortable to the touch, a softer material may be used for the transparent display section 1424 and reinforced by the transparent strengthening layer 144.

It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A window for use in an electronic device, comprising: a transparent soft layer, the soft layer for being exposed to a user's touch; and a transparent strengthening layer, the soft layer overlapping the strengthening layer and for positioning inside an electronic device,.
 2. The window as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the soft layer being made of polyethylene terephthalate; and the strengthening layer being made of polymethyl methacrylate
 3. The window as claimed in claim 2, wherein the soft layer is adhered to a portion of the electronic device by an adhesive.
 4. The window as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adhesive is transparent.
 5. The window as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adhesive is octyl-cyanoacrylate.
 6. A housing for use in electronic device, comprising: a base; and a transparent window attached to the base, the window includes a transparent soft layer for being exposed to a user's touch and a transparent strengthening layer positioned inside an electronic device and overlapping with the transparent soft layer.
 7. The housing as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the soft layer being made of polyethylene terephthalate; and the strengthening layer being made of polymethyl methacrylate.
 8. The housing as claimed in claim 7, wherein the soft layer is adhered to a portion of the base by an adhesive.
 9. The housing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adhesive is transparent.
 10. The housing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adhesive is octyl-cyanoacrylate.
 11. A window for use in an electronic device, comprising: a transparent soft layer, the soft layer being made of polyethylene terephthalate; and a transparent strengthening layer, the soft layer being attached on the strengthening layer, the strengthening layer being made of polymethyl methacrylate. 